Following
my ride behind former Norfolk and
Western J class 4-8-4 #611,
I ended up missing my train back to Washington
and in order to get home, I had to spend over $320 to get home. I decided to
see if #611 would be running in Virginia next year I would ride behind it
again. Afterward, I would do a “Make-up trip” to redo the segment that I
missed.

After
checking on FireUp611.com, I was initially looking for excursions out of
Lynchburg where I rode it last year. This year, no excursions originated from
Lynchburg.

However,
there were a couple excursions with #611 out of Manassas which is between
Lynchburg and Washington DC in June which I decided to attend.

My final
plan was to take the Maple Leaf to Schenectady and overnight there. The next
day, I would ride Amtrak train #280 to New York and transfer to the Southbound
Crescent to Manassas. I would ride behind #611 the day after I arrived in
Manassas before heading to Lynchburg and spending a couple days there. From
Lynchburg, I would ride a Regional train back to Alexandria and fly home as I
originally intended last year. The trip unfolded as follows.

June 2, 2016:

I got to
Finch shortly after 7:00 am. I realized I had left the wire I use to transfer
photos from my digital camera to my computer at home. I figured I could get
another one at an electronics store somewhere on my trip. I had forgotten my
cell phone charger on when I went to Chicago in 2013 for the 2200 series El car
charter, but bought a new one on my trip which worked out as I kept the new
cord in my bag.

The subway
ride went okay until right after we left Queen; two stops before Union when we
lost power. We were able to coast to King station. After a couple minutes the
TTC crew announced they had lost power for an unknown reason. I decided to walk
the rest of the way to Union. I got there at 7:50; 30 minutes before my train
was scheduled to depart.

Boarding
began 13 minutes before the train was scheduled to depart. I was seated in
Amfleet 1 coach #82590. I saw the train consist was a locomotive, two Amfleet 2
coaches, two Amfleet 1 coaches, and a cafe car with Business class seats. It
usually has three Amfleet 2 coaches, an Amfleet 1 coach, and a cafe car with
Business class seats. Either Amtrak changed the consist or an Amfleet 2 coach
was bad ordered in New York. However, the Amfleet 2 coaches were locked which
defeats their purpose on the train.

I didn't
let that bother me too much as I found a seat. I noticed forms for U.S. Customs
were on the seats and not passed out later by the train crew. The train left on
time.

Shortly
after we left, I saw a VIA train pass, but I was unable to film it. I did film
the combined VIA trains 52 and 62 when they passed.

When we
passed VIA's Toronto Maintenance Center, I filmed the equipment in the yard. I
saw at the west end former VIA RDC #6133 which is now owned by Rapido Trains.
Rapido bought it at the last minute to save it from being scrapped.

My ticket
was taken. I went to the cafe car for a drink as I was thirsty. The train
stopped at Oakville. West of Oakville, I looked for the former TTC D40hf but it
seemed to have been removed from the yard where it sat. I saw a few ex Hamilton
C40LFs in a scrap yard.

The train
stopped at Aldershot. There was a GO train stopped on track 4 in the station.
It had a new style cab car. I photographed it.

The train
passed through Bayview Junction. We then passed a CN GP28-2w and GP9. We passed
through the CN yard in Hamilton. I saw an orange end cab switcher at the end of
the yard, but I was unable to photograph it. I decided to fill out the card for
Customs.

As we
passed the big steel plant in Hamilton, I photographed CN end cab switcher #7304.

The train
was passing somewhat slowly. A CN freight train passed us. We began picking up
speed.

A little
while later, I decided to go to the cafe car before it closed. The train passed
through Grimsby non stop. We stopped at St. Catherines a few minutes later.

The bridge
over the Welland Canal was down. We were approaching Niagara Falls, Ontario. We
stopped at the station after a double stop. At Niagara Falls, Ontario, the VIA
crew got off and the Amtrak crew got on. The Amtrak crew instructed me to move
one coach back to Amfleet 1 coach #82600 in order to be able to easily get off
in Schenectady. The train departed and crossed into the U.S. Once in the U.S,
we passed the site of the new Niagara Falls New York station well under
construction. It will have a high level platform. We went past then reversed
into the present Niagara Falls, New York station.

We were
made to get off and go through Customs. The agent who interviewed me was nice.
I reboarded the train and soon the inspection was complete. My ticket was taken
by the Amtrak conductor. I got off and took some photos of the train and some
CSX power.

I then took
two more pictures at the rear of the train and of the present Niagara Falls,
New York station before it is replaced.

I then got
back on the train and logged into Amtrak's Wi-Fi. I also worked on this report
some more.

The train
left Niagara Falls, New York on time. Soon, we were approaching downtown
Buffalo. We stopped at Buffalo Exchange Street station. Several people got on
here, but I didn't get a seatmate. We soon departed.

I looked
out the right side of the train hoping to photograph the fishbowl I saw when I
rode the Toronto bound Maple Leaf last December, but it was gone. We stopped at
Buffalo Depew station a few minutes later.

After
leaving Depew, the cafe car finally opened up. I went there for lunch. At one
point, the train stopped due to track work and freight traffic. We were
underway again a little while later.

The train
stopped at Rochester. The temporary station was still being used. East of
Rochester, Amtrak train #63 passed. I saw it was being led by P42 #184 which
was repainted into Amtrak's Phase 4 livery. I recorded the coaches, but missed
the locomotive.

A little
while later, we passed a long lash up of locomotive; mostly CSX, but a Norfolk
Southern locomotive was part of the consist.

We soon
arrived at Syracuse. Syracuse was a smoke stop. I stepped off and photographed
the train.

I then got
back on the train. We departed a few minutes later. It was raining. Shortly
after we left, we stopped to let a westbound CSX intermodel pass. We were
underway again a few minutes later. Train #281 passed and I attempted to film
it. I went to the cafe car for a drink.

We stopped
at Rome a little while later. East of Rome, the train stopped. After a
westbound CSX freight passed, we were underway again.

The train
stopped in Utica. At Utica, I saw the crew of the Adirondack Scenic Railway
doing some switching. We pulled in on track 1 which is the furthest track from
the station. We soon departed.

East of
Utica, we went under an overpass. I saw several cows walking across the bridge!
That's kind of unusual to see.

A westbound
CSX freight passed led by a Norfolk Southern locomotive.

Amtrak
train #283 passed, but I was unable to film it. We stopped in Amsterdam a
little while later.

We were
soon approaching Schenectady. I readied my stuff in preparation to get off.
Train #64 arrived into Schenectady 13 minutes early! I got off and photographed
the train.

I then left
the station and photographed the train from the street.

The train
did not depart on time. While I was waiting, I photographed some buses.

The train
was waiting for Train #291 from New York because east of Schenectady, the line
is single track. I filmed train #291 pulling in and then filmed #64 departing.

I then
walked to my hotel which was three blocks from the station. This hotel was a
boutique hotel. I checked in and went to my room for a little while. I headed
out. I decided to try and see the westbound Lake Shore Limited. I was wondering
if the Boston section was still running as a stub train or the trains combined
once again.

When the
train pulled in I noticed three things: There was only a single locomotive
leading. Previously, I've never seen the Lake Shore west of Albany with no less
than two locomotives. Second thing I noticed was a former Metroliner coach
owned by the Department of Transportation! Third, the train had all the
sleepers at the front, followed by a diner, lounge, and coaches meaning the
Boston section was still running as a stub train. I filmed the train pulling in
and photographed the DOT Metroliner.

I filmed
the train pulling out and went to Wendy's for dinner. I phoned home and let my
mom know I was in Schenectady. After dinner, I stopped at a nearby gas station
and bought a bottle of lemonade. I walked back to my hotel where I went online
and worked on this report. I eventually set the alarm on my phone and called it
a night.

June 3, 2016:

I got up at
7:30 am and got dressed. I finished packing and checked out of my hotel. I had
breakfast at Burger King. After breakfast, I stopped at a convenience store for
some Pepsi and to get some Advil as I had a headache.

When I was
waiting to cross the street to go to the station, I saw an errant cyclist get
hit by a car! Fortunately he was okay and he rode off.

After that
little bit of excitement, I headed to the station. I learned the train was on
time. I saw a Norfolk Southern freight train pass.

After
awhile, I took the incredibly slow elevator up to track level and waited for my
train. Train #280 actually arrived 18 minutes early! I filmed the train pulling
in.

I was
seated in Amfleet 1 coach #82659. After sitting for awhile, the train left on
time.

When we
passed Amtrak's maintenance yard in Albany, I filmed the equipment in the yard.
I saw the cars and F40 from Amtrak's Exhibit train and P40 #822 would be
leading the stub train #448 to Boston later that afternoon. I also saw P32AC-DM
#710 which is the second P32AC-DM to have been overhauled and repainted into
Amtrak's Phase 3 livery.

We soon
stopped at the station. This was a smoke stop. I stepped off and photographed
the train.

I saw work
was being done and two of the platform tracks were out of service. However,
another new track had been added so the Lakeshore Limited's passengers can
easily cross from train 48 to 448 and from train 449 to 49.

I saw
Amtrak train #63 pulling in led by P32AC-DM #704; the first overhauled P32AC-DM
to have been painted in the phase 3 livery. I photographed the train and filmed
it pulling in.

I saw the
train had the same exact coaches as I had ridden the day before. The Amfleet 2
coaches were behind the locomotive and would presumably be locked by the border
making them pointless to be in the consist instead of Amfleet 1s. If Amtrak
didn't have enough Amfleet 2s, the two Amfleet 2 coaches should be the second
and third coaches in the train.

I then got
back on the train and we departed on time. Amtrak train #69 passed, but I was
unable to film it. After awhile, I went to the cafe car and bought a chocolate
bar. The train stopped at Hudson.

A little
while after that, the train stopped in Rhinecliff. We soon departed.

We passed a
Metro North commuter train and then stopped at Poughkeepsie. We departed
Poughkeepsie after picking up some passengers. As we approached Croton-Harmon,
I attempted to photograph the former Erie Lackawanna “Phoebe Snow” coaches.

We stopped
at Croton Harmon moments later.When we
left, we were about 40 minutes from New York's Penn Station. South of Croton
Harmon, we passed what looked like a prison.

South of
Croton, a northbound Amtrak train passed, but I was unable to film it. I phoned
my friend Dan because he said there might be a possibility to meet at Penn
Station. However, I learned something had come up and we would be unable to
meet.

As we
passed non stop through Yonkers, I saw an MTA bus garage with a fishbowl in the
back, but I was unable to film it. I did film some MTA subway trains at the
Kawasaki plant near the station.

A little
while later, we were approaching New York. I readied my stuff in preparation to
get off. Train #280 arrived 10 minutes early. I got off and photographed the train.

I then went
upstairs into Penn Station. The first thing I did was look for a shop where I
could buy a cord for my camera to replace the one I had forgotten at home.
After a few minutes, I found a store with a cord that worked. I bought it and
then I bought lunch.

I then sat
down in the Amtrak departure lounge and went online and worked on this report
some more. I also tested out my new USB micro cable and it worked well.

After
awhile, I decided to head out and try to line up for boarding the Crescent
because in the past, it's been full when I've ridden it.

The
Crescent began boarding at 2:00 pm. I saw there was a Heritage diner, but I
didn't believe I would have time for a sit down dinner in the diner before I
got off in Manassas. I was seated in Amfleet 2 coach #25013. I got a window
seat on the left hand side of the train. The train left on time.

We passed
through the Hudson River tunnel and headed into the state of New Jersey. I
photographed a New Jersey Transit commuter train.

The train
stopped at Newark. We departed a few minutes later. South of Newark, we passed
a yard full of Amtrak MOW hoppers. I could see Newark International Airport
from the train.

We passed a
Regional train heading north. A little while later, a Keystone train passed. In
Brunswick, we passed a yard with some old Heritage baggage cars in the #1700
series as well as a Heritage coach in the Phase 3 livery. Presumably, those
cars are used in MOW duties.

We passed a
SEPTA commuter train meaning we were getting close to Philadelphia. We passed
the area where last year, Northeast Regional train #188 took a curve too fast
and derailed killing 8 passengers. I filmed the yard with a former Amtrak E
unit which had seen better days. I had noticed that unit last year when I rode
the Crescent back to New York from Birmingham after I returned from Montgomery.
An Acela Express train passed. I saw a graffiti covered caboose near someone's
yard. We passed an Amtrak maintenance train. We passed over Girard Street where
SEPTA's PCC-2s run.

Outside
Philadelphia station, I saw P42 #145 painted in Phase 3 for Amtrak's 40th
anniversary back in 2011 and attempted to photograph the unit.

I had now
managed to see all the units on Amtrak's roster presently repainted into Phase
3. The train stopped in Philadelphia. We departed and crossed into the state of
Delaware. Outside of Wilmington, I filmed Amtrak's Bear, Delaware shops. I
noticed stored P40 #828 in the Phase 4 livery, a retired HHP-8 and some retired
AEM-7 electrics. A few weeks from now, Amtrak is planning a farewell to the
AEM-7 excursion from Washington DC to Philadelphia and back. I won't be able to
attend because it's too close to this trip. Maybe if I had made the train last
year, I would have.

South of
Wilmington, we passed some old Heritage baggage cars on a siding. I decided to
go to the cafe car for a snack. The dining car began service. At one point, I
saw a yard with some Amtrak MHC cars. Several minutes later, we passed a
carnival. We also passed a freight yard on the left side of the train that had
a boxcar on its side, but I was unable to photograph it. I did photograph a
Norfolk Southern hi-nose Geep. We passed through a tunnel and stopped in
Baltimore a few minutes later. It was raining out.

A couple
MARC commuter trains pulled in led by HHP-8s. Train #19 departed and stopped a
minute later. We were soon underway again. We passed through another tunnel.
After we left the tunnel, I filmed an Acela Express as it passed.

Amtrak's
northbound Palmetto passed, but I was unable to film it. The rain appeared to
have stopped so hopefully it wouldn't be raining when the train arrived in
Manassas.

The train
passed through New Carrollton non stop. We were getting close to Washington DC.

When we
passed the Amtrak yard in Washington, I saw P42 #42; the Veterans unit which
participated at Streamliners at Spencer; just before #611's restoration began.
As we pulled into Union Station, I saw it was still raining. We soon stopped.

Despite the
rain, I got off and took some photographs.

I saw
Amtrak switcher #533 pulling in with three Amfleet 1 coaches. I photographed
that movement.

#533 was
removed from the train. I went as close as I thought was safe to the front of
the train. Between the baggage car and the Viewliner sleepers was an Amfleet 2 coach.
It was being used as Business Class; a service recently started on the
Crescent. However, I'm not sure how it differed from the Amfleet 2 coaches in
coach class which are identical. I then photographed the baggage car again.

I also
photographed P42s #189 and #120 which were on the track next to us. I figured
they would be the diesels that would lead the train south of Washington. I
would turn out to be right. #189 had an ad promoting the Heartland Flyer in
Oklahoma. That unit was obviously far from Oklahoma.

ACS-64 #633
which had led the train from New York was removed and moved light to a few
tracks over and was parked with three sister locomotives. I filmed #633 passing
and photographed it and a private car.

Meanwhile,
#189 and #120 were moved and coupled up to the train. I attempted to film and
photograph the coupling move.

I then
walked back to my coach and took one more photo of the Amfleet 1 coaches
switcher #533 brought.

I got back
on the train. HEP was restored a few minutes later. Meanwhile, ACS-64 #603 was
moved and coupled up to the three Amfleet 1 coaches.

A Regional
train pulled in on the track next to us. However, at our scheduled departure
time of 6:30, the train didn't leave. The Amtrak crew made an inaudible
announcement about the delay.

Another
Regional train pulled in on the track to our left. The sun started coming out
so this delay MIGHT have been good for something. Train #19 finally departed
Washington 26 minutes late.

We were
traveling slowly. So slowly, a CSX freight began overtaking us. I could see
Washington National Airport at one point; where I will hopefully take off from
on Tuesday. I saw a few planes waiting to take off.

We finally
picked up speed that we were moving faster than the freight train. However, it
would be short lived as we slowed.

Amtrak
train #80 passed, but I was unable to film it. We began speeding up and
overtaking the freight. At one point, I saw a rainbow. The freight pulled ahead
again as we slowed for our stop in Alexandria. When we stopped, the last car of
the freight passed. A southbound Amtrak Regional pulled into Alexandria on the
track next to us. Train #19 departed 37 minutes late. I filmed the regional
train on the track next to us as we departed.

We passed a
Norfolk Southern local freight. We were soon in a forest. I figured we were
getting close to Manassas. I readied my stuff in preparation to get off.

We overtook
a Virginia Railway Express commuter train. A few minutes later, we arrived into
Manassas 40 minutes late. I got off and photographed the train.

I then
filmed the train departing. In the distance, I could see #611 and its train. I
photographed a caboose and two freight cars across the street from the station.

A few
minutes later, the commuter train we overtook pulled in. I photographed it.

I thought
my hotel was closer to the station than it actually was. It took me over an
hour, but part of the time, I stopped to have dinner at a McDonald's. I finally
arrived and checked in. I then phoned a cab and arranged for a taxi to take me
to the station tomorrow. I also worked on this report some more.

After a
little while, I went to a grocery store and bought some milk. I set the alarm
on my phone for 5:55 am and soon called it a night.